Why I Like Fartlek Runs Over Track Workouts (WIAW)

I haven’t written about running in a while, and you all know that I like running more than any exercise. That was one of the hardest parts about recovery. It was hard to step back on running, yet it actually helped me fall more in love with running because I started to do it for the right reasons (instead of burning calories or being a body size I wasn’t meant to be.) Since I talked to you a couple weeks ago about my plans to train for a marathon, my sister and I talked, and we decided that we’d rather do a half marathon in the fall, so that’s what we’re going to do. 🙂 Because of that I want to share some of my favorite ways to train. Over the years of learning about running, I’ve learned that there is no one size fits all for runners. I totally love Amanda and Susie, because they both remind me of that with all their different articles about different runners, ways we relate, ways we can support each other, and even hilarious posts (like the one Amanda just wrote.)

Last week Susie from Suz Lyfe wrote a post about speedwork, and it made me think about how my relationship with speedwork has changed over the years. I’m a really . . . slow sprinter. I love to run steadily and slowly, but I’m not good at track repeats. However, I love to run fast (fast for me.) I’m never going to be a 7:30 min/mile person for a half marathon or a marathon, but I love to push myself when it feels right. How do you push yourself if you’re really not that good at track workouts or you dread track workouts?

The answer is: Fartlek.

What does that mean? It’s a really fun type of running that doesn’t take as much focus on numbers but more on effort/intuitively listening to your body.

Fartlek running is a series of short bursts of speed over a run. Here’s how I like to do fartlek runs.

Keep in mind that I’m not a running coach or a professional on running. This is only my personal experience with speedwork that has worked the best for me!

1) Warm up for one mile.

2) Pick an object (tree, sign post) that is about 50-100 yards or feet from you and run as hard as you can for it.

3) When you get to that object slow down and jog slowly for as long as you need to recover.

Fartlek running has become a form of speedwork that I really enjoy. I just started getting back into it last week with the huskies, and I think/hope that it helps drain more of their excessive energy.

Now I want to give you 5 reasons to love Fartlek runs if you need a change from normal speedwork:

1) You can do it out on the road. You don’t have to go to the track.

2) You can make the distance that you sprint a distance you feel comfortable with at the moment.

3) You can listen to your body more than being tied to a watch.

4) You can surprise your dogs… with random bursts of speed (Ok. that’s a silly reason, but it is fun!)

5) If you are running with a beginning runner, a fartlek run could be less intimidating to them than regular speedwork.

However, I don’t want to say that doing regular speedwork is a bad thing. It’s not. It’s fun to push our bodies, to see how God repairs our muscles after we push them, to rest afterwards and replenish those muscles, to progress and see improvement in your pace, and I think it’s cool that each runner can pick the one that works the best for them.

Last but certainly, of course, not least I am spontaneously linking up with WIAW for the party. I haven’t been linking up as much lately, but I thought I would share how my days of eats been looking lately. I’ve actually been hungrier than usual, and it’s been shocking to me that I’m hungrier (even though I’m not more active.)

It’s actually a really good lesson for me to continually listen to my body and not the ‘calorie’ idea I have in my head.

Kat’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars for Snacks – These are the bomb. They are crispy, crunchy, slightly sweet, and they definitely don’t disappoint with the thin chocolate later on top and the creamy nut butter throughout.

Delicious Turkey Enchiladas with ALL Da Cheese! – My mommy made these, and they were so perfect. We ate them on Monday night before Bible Study.

Monday Snack #1: This was so good. I drizzled a banana with homemade chocolate frosting/sauce and dipped it in some leftover almond butter I made and Lotus Biscoff Cookie Butter.

Random Salad Combos: I love putting mashed potatoes on top of salad; there’s just something about creamy mashed potatoes combined with crunchy lettuce cucumbers. I think I can say that they probably won’t be doing that at the Cheesecake Factory soon, but it tastes good if you try it at home.

Salad number I was from Sunday. I topped it with turkey and lots of dressing. Do not skimp on dressing.

Last but not least I’ve really been loving podcasts and listening to the Bible on my Iphone lately. I wanted to share some of my favorite podcasts with you that have been a huge blessing to me in growing in the faith, learning about being truly healthy, and mental health conversations.

#1) Chasing Joy Podcast (I really loved Georgie’s recent Q&A.) Georgie talks about facing different life challenges, dealing with weight gain, intuitive exercise, and more about mental health and really enjoying the little things in life.

#2) Ask Pastor John Podcast – Especially in a world where there is so much confusion over truth and faith and what a Christian really is, this podcast is always pointing me gently but firmly back to Scripture and being rooted and grounded in God’s Word.

#3) Sheologians – These gals, Summer and Joy, are really thoughtful, and they’ve had me really thinking about engaging with and applying God’s truth and love to the problems that I confront day to day. They are kind, sober, joyful, and they talk about so many relevant issues.

#4) Revive Our Hearts – Nancy Demoss Wolgemuth is a precious Titus 2 older woman who is always sharing the beauty, the truth, the glory of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Last week before Father’s Day, she shared a delightful, full series on the podcast on ‘The Father Heart of God’ and how God is the PERFECT Father to His children, how His love is steadfast, how God sets His love upon His children, how He knows His children by name, and it was just a really really grounding God glorifying series. It was awesome. It left me with a wonder at how God is so merciful and compassionate and pitying on His children.

#5) Renewing Your Mind Minute with Dr. R.C. Sproul – I love this one. R.C. Sproul Sr. is a mature godly pastor who uses one minute, about 5 days a week, to remind Christians of fundamental truths of the Scripture. This recent one, ‘Life After Death’ really brought me back to why I shouldn’t fear death because of Jesus’ Christ’s victory over death!

Comments

Sooo happy that you love those bars of mine! I literally make a batch of them a week – they are so freaking amazing! When it comes to running, I am alllll about the sprint or interval. I’d much rather do that than any kind of steady paced run, though I prefer it to be outisde if I’m doing it! Which right now would be suicide given how hot it is 😉

Yeah, I don’t think I’d want to run outside there in California right now either. 100+ degrees is just too hot. And those bars are delicious. They’re perfect for the hot weather, because you don’t have to bake them.

I’ve never heard of Fartlek running. That sounds fun and like a great way to stay in tune with your body!
I love the chasing joy podcast. Georgie shares so much knowledge and wisdom on there. I think that’s my favorite podcast as of late!

I haven’t had a lot of time to listen to podcasts in the past couple of months, but two that I started listening to at the beginning of this year and love are the Glorious in the Mundane podcast by Christy Nockels and the Homemaking Foundations podcast by Jami Balmet! I think you’d like them, too! xx

I really like your blog.
I’m Swedish, and in my language “fartlek” is directly translated to “speed fun” or “speed play” – which makes it even better, right? Keep playing and having fun at your own speed. Great post 🙂

That type of speed workout sounds really fun actually! I mostly run on my treadmill and I like running very fast for a few minutes and then slowing down. That works better for me than going at a steady pace the whole time. I like podcasts too! I just started listening to Chasing Joy. One of my all time favorite podcasts is walk in the word by James McDonald.

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Go Back in Time!

Go Back in Time!

I am a very ordinary girl. I’m 24, but if you met me, you wouldn’t believe me. I am passionate about girls finding true beauty in Christ. I love peanut butter, icecream, and salad. My hobbies are cooking, baking, sharing laughs and tears with others, and sharing the fullness of joy that Christ has put in me. I love reading other blogs, and I hope that this will be a place where you can find encouragement, recipes, smiles, and joy. Click here to read more about me...